Runner in the Spotlight: Bjorn Norman

Bjorn is originally from Norway and has lived in Charlotte for almost ten years. Hopefully his story can inspire you to get out there and run up more hills. :o)








Where do you work?
I work for Maersk Line, a danish shipping company (part of A.P. Moller Maersk group - danish shipping and energy company) in the North American Liner Operations Department.

You just finished the Uwharrie Rumbling Half. Would you like to share anything about that experience?
It was definitely a humbling experience for a distance that I feel comfortable in. As I am not the biggest morning or daytime runner, the humidity and heat almost took a toll on me as there were plenty of hills in an area I had never been. After crossing the finish line it took me a good while to get my mind to senses again after drinking a gallon or so of liquid. If it was Sunday morning all over again, I would definitely bring my running belt with water bottles or bring a bottle in my hand during the run. Running in the woods gives me space from the regular day, seeing animals (hopefully no snakes!) and listening to the sounds of nature!

What's your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?
When the girlfriend is in town, it is Cheescake Factory. When she is out of town, sushi is on the top of the list (Nikko's or Ru Sans)!

How long have you lived in Charlotte?
I moved to Charlotte from my home country Norway in January of 2009. Charlotte is definitely a great place to live as it has great outdoor activities, temperature and people!

Favorite place you've traveled and loved for running?
Oh, hard to just give one as i have soo many memorable runs! I'm a big fan of Australia and my favorite place to go running was in New Zealand in the mountains (redwoods in Rotorua) and along the ocean. I do have to say that I love travelling around in my home country of Norway, especially spending some time in my grandmother's old cabin by the lake - away from all modern technology. Running during the wintertime in the woods in Norway during snow and 20 degree weather is also awesome!

When and why did you start running?
I started running my junior year of college (2004) to supplement soccer but my love for running became stronger and stronger for each run I completed. Initially it was limited to about 6k three times a week and now it is usually a mimimum of 35 miles per week plus soccer, biking and gym.

What do you love about running?
It gives me great relief from the regular office day, gets me up and out, allows me to meet people, and allows for better health. I do have more energy when I run, it keeps me in shape and I love a challenge - the attempt to push myself to the next level/limit.

What’s the funniest or strangest thing that has ever happened to you on a run?
Being from Norway and having just recently moved to Charlotte I encountered a shock when running on Queens Road (sidewalk) one afternoon. There had been plenty of rain earlier in the week and the grass was still wet, so when passing one driveway after the sun had just gone down, I glanced down to make sure there were no unexpected bumps in the road that would make me do a classy fall. I saw a dark, large and thick snake 5 inches away from where I placed my foot. My heart almost fell out! To many of us Norwegians, snakes are not part of our vocabulary and mostly seen on Animal Planet.

Do you lead any Charlotte Running Club group runs? What time?
I have just joined and not had that opportunity but hopefully I may be able to do so in the future.

What's your most memorable race and why?
I am a big fan of Crecent City Classic 10k in New Orleans but most memorable run was New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon in February of 2010. I had alot of friends and family (my girfriend's family) cheering me on and I managed a pretty decent time! Also, the course takes you through many of New Orleans' historic areas and has a unique athmosphere surrouding it with jazz.

Favorite Charlotte race?
Many great races but as I am more comfortable in longer races, Charlotte Race Fest is a great race! A few hills, and plenty of people cheering on makes it a true success! (lets not forget to mention the beer after the race)

Where is your favorite place to run in Charlotte?
I love to run in the Southpark area - gorgeous area and lots of runners, however, truly enjoy running in the trails at the White Water Center.

Favorite distance? PR?
I prefer races longer than 10k. The Half marathon is a comfortable racing length but, in contrast, it feels so great mentally to finish marathon. My PR for 10k is 40:19 (Crecent City Classic 2010), half marathon is 1:29 (Race Fest 2010) and marathon 3:23:47 (New Orleans Marathon 2010)

What’s next on your race calendar and what are your goals for the next round of training?
Next race on the calendar is the Carolina Rock-n-Race trail run 13 miles at the White Water Center. The training that I will put forward will definitely go for my next marathon. Within the next year, I do want to qualify for boston - a dream of mine!

What do you love most about the Charlotte Running Club?
The members who all share the love for running. It includes a great community to share experiences, find a new running partner/groups, and learn from others' expertiese.

Summer Boot Camp - Registration Open

Hey all just wanted to give you a non-running exercise option this summer to fill a few of your Saturday mornings. I participated in a couple of the Asana Activewear Boot Camps last summer and I can assure you it is a terrific workout! The neat thing about these type of workouts is no matter what kind of shape you are in, no matter how old or young, you can cater the workout to your level of fitness. So it really is something that you and your wife or girlfriend (hopefully not both) can attend together and walk away with a great workout (some soreness I assure you as well).

For $30 bucks you get 5 Saturdays with 5 top local fitness gym instructors. Each registrant will receive a high quality drawstring back pack from Sugoi, a water bottle, special discounts from Asana Activewear, Earthfare and more! There is a single day price as well of $15.

Gary Schwake is the owner over at Asana Activewear and has built a real top quality speciality store. You can now shop online with Asana (www.asanaactivewear.com). Their gear is focused more on the yoga and gym crowd so as runners we have less needs for that type of apparel. However, if you need new clothes for the gym that you want to last and that are comfortable, give them a shot.

Here is the link for more info and registration about the bootcamp: http://charlotte.asanaactivewear.com/calendar/asana_summer_bootcamp_2010/

I usually end with Happy Running...but for this blog, Happy Bootcamp - Aaron

Runner in the Spotlight: Ken Simpson

Ken Simpson has been running for the most years of any other member in the club! Ken shares his remarkable story...from his experiences in his first marathon in 1976 to his favorite road races in Charlotte today! Enjoy!







Where do you work?
CMC-Pineville

What's your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?
Bricktops

Do you have any kids? Do they run?
Two Daughters, Cindy and Pam do not run, Step-Daughter Laura is a member of CRC and has run half-marathons, training for a marathon. I also have a 10 year old grandson who lives in Indianapolis and is running.

How long have you lived in Charlotte?
19 years

Favorite place you've traveled and loved for running?
Next to NC, I loved living in Southern California, running along the Pacific Ocean and in the Santa Monica Mountains and Canyons.

When and why did you start running?
I started High School Cross Country and Track in 1954 because of a coach having faith in me, luring me away from basketball and baseball. I stopped running in 1995 and entered the Duke Cancer Center in 1998 after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. With less than a 5% survival rate I underwent a 14 hour surgery to remove my esophagus. Through the power of God and a dedicated cancer surgical team I can report that I’m 100% free of cancer. When the surgeon, Dr. Thomas DiAmico, released me from his care, four years after the surgery, he used the phrase “cured”.

Fourteen months ago I started back to the sport I love with the goal of running a 5K on my 70th birthday (October 2009) and overcoming nerve and muscle damage from the surgery. To date I’ve run 20 5K’s working my way toward a half-marathon in 2011.

What do you love about running?
The healing of the mind, body and soul that running provides through the fellowship of everyone who hits the ground running.

What’s the funniest or strangest thing that has ever happened to you on a run?
Most people fear coyotes, but in running the canyons in the Santa Monica area I learned they can be as playful as dogs. On my early morning runs up one of my favorite canyons I got to know a coyote that enjoyed playing “hide and seek” up ahead of me. One pitch dark morning, I was running in a new canyon and I heard a “yelp” off to my left where the elevation was about 20” lower than the road. I slowed and stopped suddenly when I saw several shadows cross in front of me. Instinctively, I shouted “get out” and was relieved when I felt they were gone.

On the way back from my run, the sun was coming up over the ridge of the canyon, and there were 5 silhouettes on top of the ridge, one behind the other, like a scene from a Walt Disney movie. I called Animal Control later and asked if any dog packs had been spotted in the canyon and they said they had checked the canyon just days before and there were none. When I told the officer about the coyotes he said it couldn’t have been since coyotes never come that close to humans, particularly with pups. I thanked him for the information and me and the coyotes kept our little secret for the eight years I lived in the area.

Do you lead any Charlotte Running Club group runs? What time?
No, I’m hoping to find one at my pace. (Editor's Note: We're working on this!)

What's your most memorable race and why?
My first marathon in 1976. I ran 3:20 and as many know the emotion was overwhelming.

Favorite Charlotte race?
The Greek Fest and Tyler’s Tree House 5K

Where is your favorite place to run in Charlotte?
The streets and hills of my neighborhood located close to the Harris Y.

Favorite distance? PR?
Presently, the 5K and this trip around my best is 32 +, with hopes of breaking 30:00 and going on to the half marathon.

What’s next on your race calendar?
The Run Ballantyne Y 5K and The Great Harvest Bread 5K

What do you love most about the Charlotte Running Club?
The personal mentoring by CRC member Allen Strickland and his beautiful girlfriend Laura (my step-daughter), and the fact the Club accepts me even though my times are well below any of the other members.

Boriana Bakaltcheva: Twilight Race Recap

As part of our blog, the Charlotte Running Club would like to welcome race recaps from other members of our club. If you are interested, please email us at run.charlotte@gmail.com and we will publish your writing!

Thanks to Boriana for agreeing to be our first featured race recapper!

I wouldn't think to write a race recap about "just another" 5k... but when CRC asked me to do so about this year's Twilight 5k race, I was quite glad. Although this would ordinarily have been "just another" 5k like all the others, some recent unfortunate circumstances made it quite different for me.

My colleagues continually wonder at and admire my running. They ask each Monday how that weekend's race or long run was, they inquire about when the next important race is, and so on. Twilight, of course, is extra intriguing to them, because I stay late at the office, change into a running singlet after work, and run my race uptown. (This is fascinating to them. "How are you even coming to work when you have a race tonight!? Don't you need rest!?")

On this particular Friday, something was very, very different. My dear friend at work, mentor, coach, etc., Debbie was not there to ask about my goals for the race and get me pumped. Debbie was a star triathlete and runner herself. She first mentored me at work for 2 years and helped me to quickly excel into a new role. But we also immediately hit it off and became close friends, exchanging training stories, motivating each other, always glowing to share about a recent race. Eight days prior to the Twilight race, my dear friend Debbie suffered a spontaneous rupture in her femoral artery... doctors were unable to save her. She was 42. I will never know why this happened - none of her family, friends or colleagues will ever know.

I think about Debbie each day since then, including today, and including the day of Twilight. The shock is still sinking in. The day of Twilight, all priorities had shifted, all emotions were in a new zone. Any emotion you could imagine, I felt. The past eight days had been a tremendous roller-coaster. It had hit me, just how much I had admired her, learned from her, relied on her, and truly loved her. And boy, will I miss her. The fact that a race was approaching that night was only reminding me that she was gone.

At the start line, I was angry, passionate, ebullient, focused, and apathetic all at once. What did "just another" 5k matter, anyway? Life is fragile, short, unjust. Debbie was gone (just like that!) while I was decked out in racing flats and sunglasses as if this race meant something at all. Instead of feeling "guilt," I tried to extract something positive: Debbie had such a beautiful spirit, loving laugh and sunny attitude. She was always proud of my accomplishments, but extremely tough - I had to earn her respect/admiration and she never let me off easy. So, I knew I had no excuses and had to perform at this race. My recent 5K's were "okay" but I knew my body was able to do better. I had a feeling Debbie knew it, too.

We were off!

Starting with a slight downhill and a nice breeze to cool things off, I felt relaxed and focused. I would take everything in pieces. Just one mile. Make Debbie proud - just for one mile. Everything was comfortable and the time was 6:00. I was only marginally alarmed. I had typically been running 6:20 miles in my 5Ks, so this was fast. But my body felt fine, and frankly, the race did not feel physical at all - all of it was in my mind.

I didn't think much of the first fast mile. Now I had to make Debbie proud in the second mile. Repeating in my mind were the words "consistent," "relax," and "comfortable." I felt a harsh sudden cramp in my left side but did not let my mind write off the rest of the race. It subsided fairly quickly. Through at 6:10. I was surprised - I had felt fatigue and believed I had slowed down more.

Two miles down, but the race is far from over. I can't claim any sort of personal victory yet. The third mile was a special character all on its own. A steep climb up Ceder, curving hill from 4th to Graham, and a final slow ascent towards the finish. My body was fatigued, but I couldn't lose focus and declare the race over when it wasn't. I believe this mile was around 6:35.

A quick climb up the last hill, and there I came through at a 19:37, which is a 4-second PR from several years ago. That's not killer fast, I know. But I think I have it in me to drop a good chunk off that time in the coming months. Debbie had challenged me to break her high school PR of 19:08, so much work lies ahead.

Debbie had a knack for being able to read me, and easily knowing whether I was truly proud of or disappointed in myself. I was proud of Twilight, but I am hungry for more. She would have patted me on the back for the PR with her big smile and then promptly asked me how I planned to build and improve the next time around. Debbie never stopped chasing goals and I think of her every day as I continue chasing mine...

CRC One Year Anniversary!!!!!!!! Cinco de Mayo

It's that time of year where we need to celebrate Charlotte Running Club's One Year Anniversary and all that we have accomplished in that year!

All runners are welcome! Please join us at 6pm for a light run from the Dowd YMCA to the Dilworth Neighborhood Grill to take a shot of tequila in honor of Cinco de Mayo and CRC!

Remember - please wear/bring a shirt, and $5 in cash so that we can take the tequila and sprint up a hill immediately following!

http://www.neighborhoodgrille.com/

Parking can be tricky so we recommend across the street or up at the Dowd Y and walk down.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
-6pm Group Run out of Dowd Y for those who want to get in some exercise. All paces welcome.
-6.45pm at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
-6.50pm Club celebration shot
-7.00pm 400m contest
- go home or drinks/dinner Contest Rules

Bring $5 cash for a shot of Tequila and to enter yourself in the quarter mile contest.

CONTEST RULES
Don't drink alcohol? No problem. $5 for glass or milk or a large soda.
Down shot (or milk/soda) with club
400m "race" immediately following the shot outside
Top male/top female win cash after we pay for shots and tip
Top puke DURING the "race" wins cash too!!!

We started this as a tradition last year and look forwarded to seeing lots of you out to carry it on with us this year! No excuses for not being there! Tell your boss you have a continuing education meeting. Cancel your kids soccer practice. Tell your wife you have to work late. Just be there!!! If you do stay after for festivities, please, please plan ahead. Take the bus home, run/walk home, cab home, call a friend, bike...just don't drive!

-- Happy Running :)

Don't Play With Yourself When You Race

Written by Aaron Linz

Ok, get your mind out of the gutter! This morning I ran a nice new 5k in downtown Matthews that was in conjunction with the Beach music festival. Downtown matthews is small but it was closed off to traffic and had lots of vendors with booths, rides and tons of food that would cause a nutritionist to faint. The course was great and the folks with the Matthews Civitan Club were really nice. Dig the plaque I got and the Dicks Sporting Good $50 buck gift certificate was a great touch (although go to your local specialty running store and NOT Dicks are other big chains).

Club member Michael Kane who was also 2 weeks removed from Boston was second. Turns out we live in the same neighborhood! I definitely look forward to linking up with him for runs.

But...the point of this blog is not a race recap, instead is some running tips. I like to write these from time to time because it reminds me as well to focus on doing better the next time out.

I have a bad habit of fidgetting with my body when racing. This morning, I was not really nervous but anxious as I have done 0 speed and it has only been 2 weeks from Boston. I jumped out to an early lead which was my plan to force myself out fast to set the tone. From the 2nd mile on, I kept messing with my head band, wiping my brow, re-adjusting my singlet and repeating. What a waste of energy! It is a bad habit and I need to not do that stuff. I convince myself during the event that I need to adjust myself but I really don't.

Another quick observation. I was a little on the fence about the value of nutrition. Sleep I am definitely sold on but was curious about nutrition. I have eaten garbage since Boston as a treat to myself. I have not slept that well either the last two weeks as I have stayed up later than usual. My legs are not toast after the race but I had nothing the last two miles. Body just felt like it lacked energy. So yes, Boston was 2 weeks ago but the fact that I have been eating lousy and not sleeping as much defintely contributed to me being flat.

Threw in a couple pictures of my super star fan, Ella (my daughter).


Happy Running!!!